Colorado's Arielle Roberson takes a shot against Oregon State during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Daily Camera, Jeremy Papasso) TV OUT NO SALES

Colorado's Arielle Roberson takes a shot against Oregon State during an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Daily Camera, Jeremy Papasso) TV OUT NO SALES

Photo: Jeremy Papasso, Associated Press

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Arielle Roberson of Colorado shoots over Samantha Siegner of Oregon State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Daily Camera, Cliff Grassmick) less

Arielle Roberson of Colorado shoots over Samantha Siegner of Oregon State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Daily Camera, Cliff ... more

Colorado 's Arielle Roberson (32), left, grabs a rebound next to Stanford 's Joslyn Tinkle (44) and Mikaela Ruef (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Sunday, Jan.

Stanford's Amber Orrange, bottom, scrambles for a loose ball with Colorado's Arielle Roberson (32) and Chucky Jeffery, right, as Stanford's Chiney Ogwumike (13) watches during the second half of an NCAA college

Colorado's Arielle Roberson (32) looks to shoot between California's Talia Caldwell, left, and Reshanda Gray (21) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, in Berkeley, Calif.

Utah's Iwalani Rodrigues (3) looks for an opening to pass against Colorado's Arielle Roberson during the first half of their NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Colorado's Arielle Roberson, center, and Utah's Danielle Rodriguez struggle for a rebound during the first half of their NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Brennan

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot between two Harlingen defenders during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) drives the ball between two Harlingen defenders during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) drives the ball between two Harlingen defenders during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA

UIL GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS...Wagner guard Arielle Roberson (33) brings down a rebound as Irving MacArthur's Karmyn Jackson, right, watches during action in the game between San Antonio Wagner and Irving MacArthur 5A semi-final round at the Erwin Center in Austin Friday, March 04, 2011......Photo by Larry Kolvoord...AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

UIL GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS...Wagner guard Arielle Roberson (33) brings down a rebound as Irving MacArthur's Karmyn Jackson, right, watches during action in the game between San Antonio Wagner and

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot over Harlingen South senior Ashley Bukowski (31) during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot over Harlingen South senior Ashley Bukowski (31) during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) is introduced before the start of the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) is introduced before the start of the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) drives the ball past two Harlingen defenders during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) dribbles past a Harlingen defender during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) dribbles past a Harlingen defender during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot over Harlingen South senior Taylor Key (11) during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot over Harlingen South senior Taylor Key (11) during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) grabs a rebound during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) grabs a rebound during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio,

Wagner senior Arielle Roberson (33) takes a shot between two Harlingen defenders during the Region IV-5A girls semifinal basketball game between the Wagner T-Birds and the Harlingen South in the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Texas on February 25, 2011 John Albright / Special to the Express-News.

Wagner's Arielle Roberson grabs for a rebound against Corpus Christi King's Stacey Rodriguez during second half action of the Region IV-5A final Saturday Feb. 26, 2011 at the UTSA Convocation Center. Wagner won 45-33.

Wagner's Arielle Roberson grabs for a rebound against Corpus Christi King's Stacey Rodriguez during second half action of the Region IV-5A final Saturday Feb. 26, 2011 at the UTSA Convocation Center. Wagner won

Wagner's Arielle Roberson celebrates with head coach Christina Camacho after the Lady T-Birds defeated the Corpus Christi King Lady Mustangs 45-33 in the Region IV-5A final Saturday Feb. 26, 2011 at the UTSA

California guard Afure Jemerigbe, left, is hit while pulling down a rebound in front of Colorado forward Arielle Roberson during the first half of an NCAA women's college basketball game in Boulder, Colo., on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

California guard Afure Jemerigbe, left, is hit while pulling down a rebound in front of Colorado forward Arielle Roberson during the first half of an NCAA women's college basketball game in Boulder, Colo., on

Utah's Iwalani Rodrigues (3) looks for an opening to pass against Colorado's Arielle Roberson during the first half of their NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Colorado 's Arielle Roberson (32), left, grabs a rebound next to Stanford 's Joslyn Tinkle (44) and Mikaela Ruef (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Sunday, Jan.

Colorado's Arielle Roberson (32) looks to shoot between California's Talia Caldwell, left, and Reshanda Gray (21) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, in Berkeley, Calif.

After coming to Colorado full of excitement to start her college basketball career, Roberson was forced to redshirt her freshman season after tearing the labrum in her left hip last year during a preseason practice.

The abrupt career setback, coupled with being almost 1,000 miles away from home, left the former Wagner High standout in a funk that tested her resolve.

“That broke my heart because I had never sat out ever and it was the first serious injury I ever had,” Roberson said. “The thought of sitting out for a whole year kind of blew my mind.”

But with the help of doctors, her teammates, coaches and particularly her older brother Andre, a star forward with Colorado's men's team, Roberson has rebounded to become a focal point in her first season with the Buffs.

“I think all of the love I got from my teammates, and of course from Andre, helped,” Roberson said. “Sure, I didn't get to play. But you have a lot of time to sit and reflect. I think about that and sitting out and that's what's helped drive me so far.”

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Upon her return, Roberson wasted little time in making her presence felt. She earned the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors three times in the first four weeks of the season. She scored in double figures in a school-record 13 consecutive games to start her career. Included was a 23-point effort against Missouri-Kansas City, the only game the 6-foot-1 forward hasn't started.

“It was just bottled up inside, I guess,” she said. “I came out with sort of an edge on me. I wanted to prove to everybody that I could still play.”

She maintained that level of play as the No. 20 Buffs amassed a 20-5 record heading into their Friday game against Washington State. Roberson is the team's second-leading scorer (12 points per game) and rebounder (5.5).

“I think her best asset is her competitive fire,” Colorado coach Linda Lappe said. “She is not afraid to get the ball when we need to get it and when we need to score. Arielle wants to win, and that's contagious with our team.”

That mindset was developed in one of San Antonio's most notable athletic families. Her father, John, was a standout at New Mexico State. While there, he met his future wife, Lisa, who led the Aggies' volleyball team in the 1980s and still ranks among the school's top 10 in career digs and kills.

Two of Arielle's older sisters already have wrapped up their own Division I athletic careers. Ashlee played basketball for Texas Tech, and Amber competed in volleyball at Texas.

“When I saw her in eighth grade and she came across the lane shooting with perfect form, I knew she would be good,” John Roberson said about Arielle. “She's always been driven because of her two older sisters. She's a perfect mix of those two.”

Her parents' determination helped spark the athletic careers of all of their children, Arielle said.

“We had a little basketball goal outside and we would play all day,” she said. “I remember late nights sometimes my parents would go out and play basketball against each other.